Smoky the Bear

We had a minor little fire in our backyard tonight. Scared the bajeezus out of me. We had a big pile of dead branches from a tornado that went through earlier this summer out in our trees. Well, tonight someone decided to start them on fire.

Right after I put my oldest to bed, four boys came to my door asking if I was having a bonfire.

Me: Um, no.

Them: Well, there's a big fire in your backyard. Look out your window.

(Run back into the house.)

Me: Yikes! That's a big fire! Thanks guys!

All is well and there was no damage. (And no dead branches to get rid of! Oh, darn.) It had mostly burned itself out by the time the fire department came. They put the last of the embers out and made sure that there were no hot spots.

Anywho, our little "bonfire" got me thinking about fire and wine. And that got me thinking about A Walk in the Clouds with Keanu Reeves. Remember that movie?

source

They are trying to ward off frost so the grapes don't freeze, but instead a big fire is started and takes out the whole vineyard. How awful would that be?


Did you know that if a fire even gets CLOSE to a vineyard it can cause what's called smoke taint. Smoke taint can ruin an entire growing season. So sad. I can't even imagine losing an entire year's worth of work by something that doesn't touch a leaf.


I think I need to have another a glass of wine to relax.  What are you doing to relax tonight? What's in your glass?